Brentina out of the FEI World Cup Final

FEI World Cup Champion Debbie McDonald has had to withdraw Parry and Peggy Thomas's chestnut mare Brentina from next week's Final inDuesseldorf due to injury.

After their warm up competition at CDI Dortmund two weeks ago, wherethey won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, Brentina was found to have a slightly swollen leg. Despite careful monitoring, hopes that the US combination could defend their title were dashed when leading veterinarian Dr Peter Cronau diagnosed a mild tendon strain. While not serious for the mare's future, this would however make any performance during the next few weeks inadvisable.

McDonald said: " We consulted with Dr Cronau and Brentina's vet at home, and both vets agreed that for Brentina to compete on full power could do far worse damage in the long run. The World Cup Final is not a place to go half measures, so in the horse's best interests we could not risk it. We came all this way to defend the title, we were ready for it, so it is just awful, especially as a week or two later it may have been OK."

USET trainer Klaus Balkenhol said: " The horse's health must always come first, but everyone involved is very sad for Debbie and her team, forthe organisers and for us, especially as Duesseldorf is our home town."

McDonald will be at the FEI World Cup Final next week to support hercompatriots Guenter Seidel and Leslie Morse, while Brentina will restbefore returning home to the USA.